Apparatus for rustproofing or the like



June 3, 1947. R. l-L'GQRDQN APPARATUS FQR RUSTPROOFING OR THE LIKE Filed lay 29, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR Foer-Z /7. dl'Jom ATI' June 3. 1947- R. m eonpou APPARATUS ron gus'rrnoorme on Tim LIKE Filed llay 29, 1942 '3 sheets-sheet 2 i N K i i i! mvzuron 776;: At 62 27 III-l 3 Sheefi-Sheet 3i BY 29A,):

June 3, 1947 R. H. GORDON I APPARATUS FOR .RUSTPRObFING OR THE BIKE Filed May 29. 1942 Patented June3,

APPARATUS FOR RUSTPROOFING OR THE Robert H. Gordon, Detroit, Mich, a ssignor to Parker Rust-Proof Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 29, 1942, Serial No. 445,037

1 This invention relates to apparatus for use in the chemical coating of metal strips or sheets and the principal object is the provision of apparatus of this type by the use of which chemical coatings may be applied to such sheets or strips in a quick and efficient manner. I

Objects of the invention include the provision of apparatus for chemically coating metal sheets or strips by the application of a, chemical solution thereto and including a multiplicity of rolls arranged as a group or unit and applicable to and removable from the apparatus as such; the pro- 12 Claims. (01. 91-29) vision of apparatus of the type described in which a plurality of pairs of rolls are mounted in a supporting frame which may be applied and removed as a unit to and from the remainder ofthe apparatus; the provision of apparatus as above described in which each roll unit includes means for driving the rolls of the unit in unison with each other; and the provision of apparatus of the type described in which the roll units may be applied in both vertical and horizontal position in the apparatus.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of apparatus of the type described capable of handling strip material at a greater rate of speed than apparatus heretofore provided for such purposes; the provision of apparatus as above described in which the speed of the strip being treated through the apparatus may be maintained equal to that of apparatus for the same purpose heretofore employed, but in which the bulk of the apparatus may be decreased; and the provision of apparatus as above described in which the strip being treated by the chemical solution to produce a chemical coating thereon is 4 caused to reverse its direction of travel in the tank in which such solution is applied thereto.

I Further objects of the invention include the provision of apparatus for chemically coating metallic sheets and strips by the application of a chemical solution thereto including a chemical solution treatment tank, a rinse tank, and an acid bath tank arranged in line with each other for receiving and treating the work therein, the

chemical'solution treatment tank beingremov- V able irom the remainder of the apparatus whereby. a chemical solution tank adaptable only to the, treatment of strip material may be replaced by,

one adaptable for treating either strip or sheet taken on the line 1-6 of Fig. 5;

LIKE

material, and vice versa; and the provision of apparatus of the type described in which the chemical solution treatment tank is capable of being modified from one capable of treating either sheet to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed,

having the above and other objects in view. 7

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic side elevational view of apparatu constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the central portion of the apparatus shown in Fig, 1 in which the chemical coating operation actually takes place; Fig. 3 is a slightly enlarged, vertical sectional view taken centrally through that portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 in which the coatin of the sheets or strips takes place;

Fig. 4. is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fi 3 and illustratin in greater detail the method of supportin the vertical stacks of rollers;

, Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken through the lefthand end of the horizontal row of rollers shown in Fig. 3 to better illustrate'the method of mounting the same;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view Fig.3 is a more or less diagrammatic, fragmentary, vertical sectional view illustrating how the mechanism shown in the preceding views may be changed to accommodate it to the chemical coating of sheets instead of strips at a minimum o1 expense; and,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, broken vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which mechanism of the type illustrated in Fig. 7 may be converted to operate upon strips instead of sheets and at an advanced speed of travel therethrough. e

The present invention-relates to apparatus for use in the production of coatings on metal surfaces by the action of chemical solutions. Typical of such coatings are' phosphate coatings applied to iron, steel, zinc, or the like to form a bond for paint. While the present invention may be useful in connection with the application of other chemical coating solutions, it willbe described in connection with theproduction of phosphate coatings to obtain paint bonding coatings for now Patent No. 2,373,432, issued April 10, 1945,

and owned by the assignee of the present application. As in the case of said.,Tanner application the present invention contemplates first subjectin'g metal sheets or strips to the efiects of a chemical solution applied thereto through spray nozzles whereby to provide such sheets or strips with a phosphate coating. During the application of a chemical solution the sheets or strips are passed through a plurality of cooperating pairs of rolls and preferably the chemical solutionis applied tothese rolls in addition to the sheets or strips passing through them. After being sub Jected to the chemical solution for a required length of time the sheets or strips are then passed through a tank or other enclosure in which the chemical solution is thoroughly rinsed therefrom by the use of fresh water following which the sheets or strips are passed through another tank or'enclosure in which they are subjected to the effects of an acid solution, such as a chromic acid bath, following which they are dried and ready for use. As in the case ofthe'chemicai solution the rinse water and the chromic acid bath are preferably applied to the sheets or strips through spray nozzles and the sheets or strips are preferably passed through cooperatin Pairs of rolls during such treatment.

The apparatus for-the above stated purposes rolls in the chemical treatment portion of the apparatus as to cause the work in strip form to travel in more than one direction between the opposite ends of the tank whereby a greater length of work may be contained within a. given length of such tank than in the case where the work is passed through in a single plane.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the type described in which the chemical treating tank portion of the apparatus is removably associated with the remainder of the apparatus, thu enabling it to be removed and replaced by a different form of tank portion. As a result of this feature of the present invention. existing forms of apparatusdesigned to handle sheet material may be re-constructed to handle strip material only at a materially increased rate of speed simply by replacing the tank portion of the apparatus. 0n the other hand where the apparatus is originally designed to handle strip only and to convey it in more than one direction through the length of the chemical treating tank portion of the apparatus, the, present invention in permitting the replacement of the tank portion only of the apparatus without disturbing the remainder thereof permits the strip treating type of chemical tank portion to be replaced with one which is capable of handling either sheet or strip forms of work. Thus the present invention provides a construction which may be converted from one which is.

capable of handling strip type of work only to heretofore designed and built capable of handling either sheets vor-strips have been so constructed and arranged that by the use of a suitable chemical solution fora period-of ten seconds they. will "acquire the desired chemical coating. Inasmuch as such apparatus heretoforedesignedand built .has been capable of-handhng-,.metal in the form of either strips or sheets, ithas required such sheets or strips xto pass through the spray tank portion of the apparatusiin a-single plane and under such circumstances'and in order to avoid 'excessive'lengths' of apparatusthe maximum speed sheet types'of work, or vice versa, at a minimum of expense.

Still another feature of the present invention is in connection with the ready removal and replacement of the rolls referred to through which th work i passed. This is particularly important in connection with that portion of the appara'tus in which thework is subjected to the efiects of the chemical solution for, the reason that in such portion of the apparatus the interaction between the chemical solution and the work produces a sludge which has a tendency to adhere to -the surface of the rolls and in time to build up to suchan extent thereon as to adversely affect the intended functioning of the rolls in certain respects. Where such sludge builds up on the surface of the rolls to such van extent that it does impair the proper operation of the apparatus, it is necessary to clean the rolls of this sludge and this is best accomplishedbyapplying an acid solution to the rolls. In accordance with the present invention at least a portion of the rolls and particularly those rolls 1 arranged near the entrance end of the chemical speed of passage ofthe work, when comprising 7 strips only, may be materially increased as compared to the prior practice without increasing the length of the apparatus in any respect, permitting speed of passage of the "work to be insolution treatment-tank aremounted in groups and in such a manner that each group may be readily removed from the chemical treatment ing, and immersingv the entire group in a tank creased to '500 feet per minute, or'more. This,

further permits the amount of work treated by a single unit to be materially increased as compared-to prior practices and results in greater economies in operation due to the smaller amount or equipment required per unit'of work turned 1 1 out thereby. v

of suitable cleaning solution, or applying such the sludgehas been removed thereby to replace them in position in the chemical treatment tank. By this means the rolls may be quickly and effectively cleaned and may be removed and replaced in a minimum of time and with a minimum expenditure of labor so that operation" of the apparatus will be delayed for a relatively require handling stock in strip form only, the main body portion of the apparatus will be seen to comprise a chemical treating tank illustrated generally at 10, a rinse tank illustrated generally at I! and an acid rinse bath indicated generally at l4, these threetanks being arranged in conresiliently pressed toward one another'. The rolls In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawing there are three pairs of rollers 48 arranged vertically one above the other with the rolls of each pair arranged vertically one over the other. The rolls of each pair of rolls 48 are 48 may be of the same character as the rolls 44. A second group of rolls 48 arranged and formed identically to the group of rolls 48 thus described is mounted in the tank ill in materially spaced [relation to the first group to-the right thereof as secutive order and in end-to-end relationship.

The chemical treatment tank; In is preferably formed separately from the tanks [2 and H but the latter tanks are preferably formed as a .unit with one another as best brought out in Fig.3.

In Fig. l the strip stock being fed through i the apparatus is illustrated in the form or a roll ,l8 suitably supported on a standard l8. the strip 28 of such roll l8 being first led through a shearing apparatus indicated more or less diagrammatically at 22, then through a welding apviewed in the drawings. In other words whiie thevarious pairs of rolls '44 are grouped in closely adjacent relationship, the two groups of rolls 48 paratus indicated more or less diagrammatically at 24, then through a strip holder 28 and under a roller 21 and thence to a slack take-up device comprising a plurality of rollers 28 mounted on fixed axes and a plurality of rollers 80 mounted upon a movable carrier 32 constantly urged away from the rollers 28 by means of a weight 84. It will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 1 that the strip 28 first passes over one of the rollers 28 and then over one of the rollers 88 and back'to another roller 28, thence to another roller 88 and back to the remaining roller 28. From the roller 28 the strip 20 is directed downwardly over a roller 36 and thence through a surface wetting device indicated generally at 88 and, as best brought out inv Fig. 3. including a plurality of pairs of rolls 40, the rolls of each pair of which are resiliently pressed towards one another and certain of which rolls are driven at shown are materially spaced from one another in a horizontal direction and the sheet or strip 28 is unsupported therebetween. As many such groups of rolls 48 maybe employed as is deemed necessary or desirable, two being shown in the.

particular embodiment illustrated as indicative of a suitable embodiment. v

It will be appreciated that the strip 24 after passing through the rolls 44 and through the i upper pair of rolls 48 of the first group of rolls 48 then passes through the upper pair ,of rolls 48 of the second group and then continues towards the righthand end of the tank 10 as viewed in the drawing to a roller 48 suitably mounted between the opposlte side walls of the tank It, and over this roller 48, and is then directed towards the lefthand end of the tank l8 first passing 3 through the intermediate pair of rollers 40; of the a different surface speed than others thereof I whereby to apply a scrubbing'action to the strip 28 passing therebetween. Water and preferably a mixture of water and steam is applied to the strip 28 during its passage through the device 38. Thedevice 38 forms no part of the present invention but does form the subject matter of the co-pending application for Letters Patent of the United States filed by Robert R..Tanner on the 25th day of April, 1942, 'for Method of rustproofing, and serially numbered 440,441. The

rolls 40may be driven in any suitable manner such as by the electric motor and reduction gear unit indicated generally at 4| in Fig. 2.

After the strip 20 is passed through the device 38 it passes over a roller 42 and then into oneend of the chemical treatment tank "I. As best brought out in Fig. 3 in passing into the chemical treatment tank 10 it passes through a slot 48 in an end wall thereof adjacent the upper. margin of such end wall. Immediately upon entering the tank I0 the strip 20 passes between a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating rolls 44, such pairs of rolls 44 being arranged so that the strip passing between the rolls of each pair travels in a horizontal direction towards the opposite end of the tank ill. The rolls 44 are preferably so constructed as to provide, a surface portion formed'from a yieldable material such, for instance, ,as fabric, rubber, or the like and preferably of either natural or artificial rubber.

Immediately after passing through the rolls 44 the strip 28 passes through the upper pairof a .to be subjected substantially three times a lon second group above described, then continuing through the lntermediategroup of the first group of rollers 48 first described, then continuing to the left and passing around the roller 80, similar to the roller 48, where its direction of travel is reversed and from which it passes through the lower pair of rollers 48 of the first group and then through the corresponding pair of rollers of the second group to the righthand end of thetank ill from which it is discharged through a slot 82 in the righthand end wall thereof adjacent the bottom thereof.

It will be appreciated from the above that approximately three times the length'of the strip 28 is contained at one time within the tank ll than would be the case if it passed through the tank in a straight line and in one direction only. The construction, therefore, permits a strip to the eflects of the chemical solution as compared to the construction providing the straight horizontal path therethrough in travelling at the same rate of speed in both cases, or it permits each increment of length of the strip to be subiected to the chemical solution in the tank 18 the same length of time as a strip passing in a straight line horizontally through the tank but in this case travelling substantially three times the speed of such singly directed strip. It will thus be appreciated that as compared to the straight horizontal run type of apparatus heretofore employed the apparatusof the present invention may provide for the same length of treatment either at a speed which is a multiple of the former speed, or for the same length of treatment in a tank which is a fraction of the length of the type heretofore employed. It is, of course, obvious that the advantages of the present invention may be multiplied in the above mentioned respects over that shown in the specificembodiment illustrated by simply expanding the apparatus to provide additional vertical spaced runs in the chemical treatment tank l0.

Before the strip passes through the slot :2 to leave the chemical solutiontank I8 it passes through a plurality (shown as three) of'pairs of" rolls 88, similar to the rolls 44 previously described and located'in horizontal alignment with the center of the'slot 82.- These rolls 88 are for the purpose of wringingthe chemical solution rolls 88. The bafiie 82 is provided with a slot 84 of the same general character as the slot 82 to provide for passage of the strip 28 therethrough.

After passing out of the chemical solution tank I8 the strip passes into the rinsetank I2 through a slot 88 formed in the corresponding end wall thereof in alignment with the slot 62. and then passes between the cooperating rolls of a. multiplicity of pairs of rolls 88, of the same general character as the rolls 44 and 48, which are rotatably mounted between the opposite sides of the.

rinse tank I2 and in closely associated relation.- ship' with respect to each other over substantially the full length'thereof. The rolls 88 are arranged in the same horizontal relationship as the rolls, 88 so that the strip 28 travels in a generally horizontal direction. A baillel8 is arranged in protecting relation with respect to thelast two pairs of rolls 68 in the rinse tank I2 for thesame general purpose as the, bailie previously described.

The strip 28 is discharged from the rinse tank I2 through a slot 12 provided in the rear end wall 14 thereof, which also serves as the front wall for the acid bath tank-I4, it passes through amulti- 'plicity of cooperating pairs of rolls 16 arranged in closely adjacent relationship to each other-and rotatably mounted between the opposite side walls of'the tank I4. The last two pairs of rolls. 16 in the acid bath tank I4 are protected from the remainder of the tank I4 by means of .a baffle 18, which may be substantially identical to the baiile l8, and it is then discharged through a slot 88 in the rear end wall of the tank I4 as indicated.

The rear end of the tank I4 is provided with a trough or gutter-like extension housing 82 provided with a slotted rear end wall through which the strip 28 is passedand'within it is provided with a roll 84 arranged on the upper side of the strip 28 and serving as a guide therefor. After leaving the housing 82 the strip 28 is passed in an upward direction over and through a pair of suitably supported rolls 85, then preferablythrough a roller leveler such as 86 from which it maybe either received and coiled or else passed through a shear to cut it into suitable lengths and stacked. Hot air maybe applied to the strip 28 between the housing 82 and the rolls 85, if desired, to accelerate the drying of the strip 28.

"The various rolls 44, 46, 68, 66 and 12 above.

. one side of the tank 82 by a pump83 which de- [2o livers it through an upwardly extending pipe 84 rection, and the other sprocket to a sprocket on r the next adjacent shaft in another direction, by means of endless chains 88. Thus all such rolls may be drivingly interconnected with each other.

A motor such as 88 acting through a reduction gear such as 88; as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2,:may

thus drive all of the rolls by being directly con-- nected to one of them. Preferably a" removable protective housing such as 8I is provided over the sprockets 81 and chains 88 Much group of rolls.

The strip -28 in-passing through the chemical solution tank I8 is bathed with a suitable chemical solution which reacts therewith to provide.

the desired chemical coating thereon. As'best brought out in Fig. 3 this chemical solution is contained within a tank 82 positioned-below the tank's I8 and I2. The solution is withdrawn from which extends to the top of rollers 44 and 48 and there connects with a header I88 extending longiv:

tudinally of the tank I8. The header I88 is, connected to ,a plurality of sub-headers I82, one of which is associated with each group of rolls 44 and 46. i

Each sub-header I82 has connectedthereto a plurality of tubes or pipes I84 which, as bestbrought out in Figs. 5 and 6, extend through one side of the tank I8 in perpendicular relation'with respect thereto and substantially the full distance across such tank. Each tube I84, as best' brought out in Fig. 6, is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles I86, arranged in line with each other, for

the purpose of discharging the chemical solution therefrom. One tube I84 is arranged between the upper rolls ofeach adjacent pair of rolls 44 and one tubeLI84 between the lower rolls of each adjacent pair of rolls 44, the nozzles I86 of the upper tubes being arranged to direct the spray therefrom downwardly upon the adjacent rolls 44 and upon the upper surface of the sheet 28 passing between them, and the spray nozzles I86 of such lower tubes I84.being directed upwardly to spray the lower rolls 44 of such pairs and the lower surface of the strip 28 passing between them. Beyond the group of rolls 44, in the direction of travel of the strip 28 through the tank I8, the remaining tubes or pipes I84 are arranged in more widely spaced relationship, as indicated best in Fig, 3, but so as to provide a substantially constant spray of chemical solution uponthe entire surface of the strip 28 as it passes through the tank I8 and before it is discharged through the slot 64 in the baffle 62. It will now be appreciated thatthe function of the battle 62 is to prevent such spray from reaching the strip 28 after it has passed through the slot 64, thus permitting the rollers 88 to properly function in their intended purpose of wringing the chemical solution from the sheet before it is discharged from the tank I8.

From an inspection of Fig. 3 it will be appreciated that the bottom of the tank I8 is shaped described, or at least one roll of each of such pairs of rolls, may be driven so as to cause, or at least to a idin causing, the passage of the strip 28 therethrough. In the drawings this is shown .as being accomplished, by providing each of thecorrespondingends of .the shafts for these rolls with a pair of axially spaced sprockets 81, best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and connecting one sprocket to point in the tank I8 from which such chemical:

to drain the chemical solution applied to'thestrip 28 and discharged therefrom towards one low solution maybe drained through a drain pipe I I8. The drain pipe II8 leads to a T connection II2 from which a branch II4 leads into a trough I I8 located atone end of the tank 82 adjacent the upper,margin thereof. The branch H4 is pro--, vided with a suitable shut-off valve as indicated at H8. The chemical solution which is thus discharged from the tank I8 through the pipe I I8. a sprocket on, the next adjacent shaft in one diand branch II4 into the trough I I6 fills the trough longitudinally extending bailie I26 between the sides thereof and which extends from'the lefthand end of the tank 62 as viewed in the drawings toa point spaced from the righthand end thereof. The trough II6 extends between the baiiie I26 and that side of the tank opposite to that to which the pump 66 is connected. The chemical solution which is returned to the tank 62'is thus caused to flow through substantially the full length of the tank and then return before it maybe again withdrawn by the pump 66 and re-delivered to the spray nozzle I66.

' The chemical reaction between the solution thus delivered to the sheet26 during its ev of such rollers, as best brought out in Fig. '1, are

suitably rotatably mounted in shame I66 which ii is introduced through a suitable opening I62 pro- I vided in one side wall of the tank I6. The outer member.i64 of the frame I66 is of greater dimensions than the corresponding opening I62 so as to form a cover for the opening I62 and is located so as to overlap the margins of the opening I62 to provide a substantially water-tight joint with suchside walL. 'If desired suitable gaskets may be employedbetween the opposed faces of the cover member I64 and the tank. Suitable studs or bolts .I66 are provided in the marginal portions of the cover member I64 and throughthose portions of the side wallof the tank I6 which they overlap to securely hold the frame 66 in position.

a sludge which, is desirably removed from the chemical solution before the latter is recirculated! through the nozzles I66. 'A portion of such sludge is separated out in the trough II6 and further means are provided in the tank I6 to further separate out such sludge from the chemical solution and entrap it. Such means as best brought out in Figs. 2 and 3 consists of a plurality of relatively shallow baiiies I24 spaced longitudinally from each other in the lower portion of the tank 62, each baiile I24 being associated with a vertically extending screen or filter element I26 through which the chemical solution must pass in flowing from one end of the tank 62 to the other end thereof. The screens or baiiles I26 tend to separate the sludge out from the chemical solution flowing through them and to deposit such sludge back of the corresponding ,baflie I24 fromwhich position the sludge may be removed at suitable intervals. On the opposite side of the bailie I26 from the screens or filters I26 a heating coil I26 is preferably provided for the purpose of heating the solution as it flows thereover towards the dis- 1 charge connection for the tank 62. t

It will be understood from the-above that the strip 26 in passing through the chemical solution tank I6 is constantly bathed during its passage therethrough with a sprayof the chemical solution and that the chemical solution which drips or otherwise is discharged from the strip 26 is drained from the. tank I6 into the tank 62 where it is filtered, heated, and again returned through the .spray nozzles I66 to the strip 26 as.v it passes through the tank I6.

When the deposits of sludge builtup in the trough H6 and tank 62 to an extent requiring it to be cleaned out, it is withdrawn with a certain amount of the chemical solution and delivered into a settling tank I36. After it has been left in the tank I36 a sufficiently long time to permit the sludge and solution to be separated from each other, the solution is withdrawn from the sludge and the sludge is discharged from the tank I 66 into a sewer or other suitable point oi deposit.

The sludge. referred to above which occurs as a result of the chemical reaction between the chemical solution and the material from which the strip 26 is formed also has a tendency to build up on the rolls 44 and 46 and may be removed. from the rolls by washing them in a suitable acid solution. In accordance with the present invention, in cleaning the rolls the various rolls 44 and 46 are bodily removed from the tank I6 and immersed Additionally, suitable brackets such as I66 are provided on the inner faces of the side walls of the tank I6 to receive the lowerends of the frames I66 to'further locate andsupport them within the tank I6. Thus when the rolls 46 become covered with such an amount of sludge as to require cleaning thereof, all that is necessary is to remove the bolts or the nuts. on the studs I66 and pull each frame I66 with its rollers 46 mounted thereon bodily out of. the tank I6, immerse it in the cleaning solution and if desired scrub it while so immersed to better remove the sludge from the rolls 46, after which it may be suitably rinsed and then re-applied and secured to the tank I6. In thus removing either group of vertically arranged rollers 46 as above described itwill be anpreciated that the sprockets 61 on the shafts of such rollers '46 and the endless chains 66 intere connecting them will be removed with them. The cover member 6| for such sprockets and chains may be allowed to remain on the cover member I64 but the two endless chains 66 which connect each such'group to the next adjacent groups or rolls on either side thereof must be removed before such group or unit of rolls can be removed from the tank I6. These last-mentioned chains 66 may be quickly removed in a conventional manner. t

The horizontal group of rolls 44 are likewise mounted in a frame I16, similar to the frame I66 previously described so as to form a unit which is applicable to and removable from the tank I6 as such. If desired an opening such as the opening.. I62 may be provided in the side of the tank I6 for the insertion and removal of the frame I16 with the rollers 44 mounte vtherein. Preferably, however, and as best brought out in Fig. 6, because of the fact that the group of rollers 44 notched as at I12 and the outer frame member I14 which is also preferably arranged as a cover for such notch asvbrought out in Fig. 6 is extended upwardly into flush relationship with respect 6 to the upper edge of the tank I6 as shown. Bolt and nut assemblies I16 are provided forremov ably securing the cover member I14 of the frame I16 and consequently the unit in place in the tank I6. Brackets I16, shown both in Figs. 5..and

in a suitable acid or other cleaning solution in which they may be thoroughly and manually scrubbed or otherwise acted upon to remove the sludge therefrom.

To accomplish this the rollers 46 of each group 6 and similarto the brackets I66 previously-described, "are provided for supporting such units 11 wil is provided in the connectionbetween the main header I and the sub-header I02 for such upper row of tubes II 4 directly over the rolls 44.

This union is positioned on that side of the main header I00-opposite the'tank I0 so that upon separating the union the groupof tubes I04 over the frame I may be readily pulled outwardly from'thetank, or at least tosuch an extent as to A suitably drlven'pump 204, as best shown in l I Fig. 3, withdraws solution from the bottom portion of the tank I4 through a pipe 200 and delivers it to a pipe 208 which extends upwardly and is connected to a header (not shown) which may be similar to the header I00 or sub-header manner and through which the solution is anto the vertical group of rollers 46 to the right of the group of rollers 44 as viewed in the'flgures are removed-the frame I10 and the rollers 44 carried thereby may be lifted directly out of the top of the tank, and either replaced by a new unit or such unit may be subjected to a cleaning operation and replaced.

It will be appreciated from the above description that by mounting the various rollers 44 and 46 in groupsin the manner described and arranging for such groups to be removed as a unit from the tank I0, whenever the rolls of such units acquire a coating of sludge of such character as to become detrimental to the proper treatment of thestrip '20 being" passed through the tank I0,

such roll units may be quickly and readily removed from the tank and either washed free of such sludge or else replaced by a clean unit, in a the tank I2 and rolls 10 in the cordingly, the 'rolls 60 and 16 may be individually secured in place if desired.

The rinse water which is applied to the strip 20 in its passage through the rolls 68 in the tank I2 may be obtained from any suitable source of supply which in the present case may be assumed to be from a municipal water supply system or through rolls 08 through a plurality of pipes 200 similar to the pipes I04 previously described, and equipped with nozzles such as thenozzles I 06 preyiouslydescribed, and the pipes 200 may be connectedto the source of rinse water supply by headers (not shown) of the same general character as the header I00 previously described. The, bottom ofthe tank I2 is sloped downwardly to a. central drain 202 through which the rinse water discharged from the strip 20 passing through the tank I2 may be disposed of. r

. The chromic acid or other solution which is used in connection with the tank l4 may either be re -circulated from a separate storage and filteringtank in much the same manner that the tank 02 is associated with the tank I0, or the bottom'of the tank I4 may itself serve as the storage space for suchsolution. Thislast construction is illustrated in the drawings byway of illustra tionlia'nd it will benoted particularly from an inspection orFig 3 that, the tank I4 is relatively deep in order to accommodate it for this use.-

' thelik. It is delivered to the strip 20 -passing plied to the strip 20 passing through the rolls I0.

The pipes 2l0'are positionedboth above and below the rolls I6 in the same manner that the pipes I04 are positioned above andbelow the rollers 44 as previously described. It'will be appreciated that the pump 204 in operating withdraws solution from the bottom portion of the tank I4 and discharges it into the pipe 208 from which it flows through the various pipes H0 and their associated nozzles to bathe the strip 20 as it passes through the tank I4. The solution which drips or flows from the sheet 20 in the tank I4 simply drains back into the bottom of the tank to again be re-circulated by the pump 204.

ratus heretofore employed for chemically coating, sheets or strips of metal in the general man: ner above described, is capable of being operated at a materially higher strip speed and yet obtain equally satisfactory, results. In other words,

where, in ,the apparatus 01 the length heretofore provided and when employing a suitable type of chemical solution in thechemical treatment tank the speed of the strip or sheet in passing through the apparatus was limited to approximately 200 feet per minute, by the use oi the present apparatus the strip may be passed through the apparatus at a speed of approximately .500 feet per minute. Thus by the use of the present invention substantially two and one-half times the amount of material may be treated by the apparatus and yet the apparatus is of no greater total length than the prior apparatus. The economies resulting from this increased speed will be readily appreciated.

In carrying out the above described operation with the apparatus thus described, the apparatus is operated until the roll I0 of the strip 20, as brought'out in Fig. 1, is substantially exhausted and the speed of the apparatus is then reduced until the end of the strip is about to pass through the shear 22, at which time the strip holder 20 is operated to lock the strip 20 being processed and the motor 09 driving the various rollsis stopped. A second roll of strip, such as the rolls 220 supported on a-dolly such as 222 and which has previously been moved into adjacent relationship with respect to the support I8, is then mounted in the support I8, its free end is drawn into the shear 2,2, the shear is operated to cutofl both ends in matching relationship with respect to each other and such ends are then moved into the welding machine 24 where they are welded together upon which the operation of the apparatus may be resumed. 1

Where the apparatus is to be shut down for any material length of time then the following procedure is. followed. Between the support I0 and thewelder 22, another standard224 i s po- By the use of the above described apparatus,

. sitioned and it supports a roll 226 of a strip of preferably the same width and approximately the same thickness as the strip 20. ,The strip of the roll 22B is preferably of some type of metal that will be unaifected or affected to only a relatively slight extent by the chemical solution in the tank ID. as for instance a roll of stainless steel. In this case as the end of the roll ity of the strip 20 which is being processed is withdrawn from the roll ii the apparatus is stopped in the same manner as when a new roll of material is to be fixed thereto for processing, but in this case it is the end of the roll 226 which is fastened to the tail end of the roll of strip under process at the time, and the strip of the roll 22B is drawn through the mechanism until it at last occupies that portion of the tank In in which the strip 20 is processed, upon which the. apparatus is stopped. Thus with this last-mentioned strip located in the tank It and being substantially unaffected by the solution sprayed therein, the apparatus may be allowed to remain inoperative for any .required length or time without danger of subjecting actual work to an excessive treatment by the solution which is employed in such tank. When it is desired to resume operation the free end of anew strip 20 of work is simply secured to the rear end of the strip of the coil 226 and operation of the apparatus is resumed, the strip of the coil 226 being simply recoiled and brought back and mounted on the standard 224 so as to be positioned for its next required use. The strip of the coil 226 does not necessarily require it to be of a type that the solution will not affect for the reason that inasmuch as the strip of such coil is preferably never sold and is simply used repeatedly for the purpose specified, an excessive action of the chemical solution upon it is of no particular moment.

There may be instances where the owner of apparatus such as is disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6', inclusive, and adaptable solely for the treatment of strip material might desire to adapt his apparatus for the treatment of both strip and sheet material'and in such case, byreason of the fact that the tank In is removably associated with the rest of the apparatus, it will be possible forsuch owner to replace the tank Ill only with a new tank adaptable for both sheet and strip material and thus escape the cost of an entire new apparatus to do this job. The manner in which this may be accomplished is illustrated in-Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. '7, which illustrates only that portion of the apparatus first described requiring. modification for the purposes stated above, it will be noted that the tank I has been removed and has been replaced by a tank Ilia; The tank Illa is of the same length as the tank l0 previously described and shown but in this case it is of a height corresponding to the height of the tank l2 and is located with its upper edge in substantially flush relationship with respect thereto. Within the tank Illa is arranged a multiplicity of pairs of rollers 230 arranged in relatively closely adjacent relationship with respect to each other, except in this case as illustrative of a modified arrangement of rollers one additional roller -232 is positioned in line with the lower rollers of the various pairs of rollers 230 between each adjacent pair of rollers 280. The rollers 23!) are arranged so that the line of contact. between each pair of them lies in the same horizontal plane as the line of contact between the pairs of rollers 68 in the tank l2,and the end walls of the tank We are slotted for the passage of the strip 65 20 passing between the pairs of rolls 23!].

rolls 230 and 232 between each pair of large rolls 14 t 20 therethrough inthe same manner as in the previously described construction. Likewise pipes 234, which may be identical to the pipes [04 first described and similarly equipped with spray noz- 5 zles, are located between each adjacent pair of rollers in both the upper. and lower runs of rollers and are connected-mp to the discharge'pipe 94 from the pump 93 in a manner similar to that first described. It will also be appreciated that the rollers 230 and 232 may be arranged in groupseach of which is removable from and insertable into the tank llla as a unit through an opening provided therefor in a side of the tank in substantially the same, or in an identical, man- .ner to the rolls 44 previously described.

In the case of the construction shown in Fig. 7,

when modified from that shown in the previous figures, the tank 38 with the rollers 40 therein may be swung around so that the lines of contact between the various pairs of rollers 40 he in the same horizontal plane as the line of contact between the pairs of rollers 230, as illustrated in Fig. 7. Otherwise the construction in Fig. 7 will b'eidentical to that in the previous figures, the

main difference being that the tank Illa is substituted for the tank I0, thereby to permit either strip or sheet stock to be treated in the tank Illa.

The speed of operation will, of course, necessarily be reduced from that in the first described construction Where' the tank Ilia is of the same length as the tank It, but at the same time it has the advantage of being able to treat either strip or sheet stock. 5

Another condition may arise where a menufacturer originally had an apparatus such as disclosed in Fig. 7 capable of handling either strip or sheet stock and desires to convert it to the handling of strip stock only at an increased rate of speed. .In such event he may, of course, re-

40 place the tank Illa by a tank such as the tank It first disclosed, but on the other hand the tank Illa may be converted to the same purposes as the tank l0 by a relatively simple addition thereto and without the necessity of replacing the tank Illa. Such conversion is'illustrated in Fig.8 from which it will be noted that the tank Ilia employed in Fig. '7 and the same tanks I2 and I4 asa're also employed in Fig. 7 and in the previous figures are also employed here. The same pre-wetting tank 38 with associated rolls 40 is employed the same as in Fig. 7. In order to modify the construction to handle strip material only at a faster rate of speed the tank Illa is provided with a top extension 250 which eifects an upward extension of the sides and ends thereof. Between the side walls of such extension a plurality of rolls 252 of larger diameter than the rolls 230 and 232, are rotatably mounted in spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the tank. Be-

50 tween each adjacent pair of rolls 252 and beyond the end ones thereof, similar rolls 254 are mounted between the side walls of the tank Illa with the lowermost portions of the surfaces thereof in the same plane as the upper'suriace of the strip The direction of lengthof the tank Illa, then down below the next adjacent roll 2'54 and so forth from adjacent one end of the tank to adjacent the opposite end thereof. The first roll 254 is.

however, spaced sufilciently far fromthe entrance 15 end of the tank Illa so that a substantial group the rolls 252 and 254.

, l of rollers 238, corresponding more or less with the number of rollers 44 illustrated in Fig. 3, receive the strip in its passage into the tank before the strip begins its zig-zag movement tion to be sprayed upon the vertically directed runs of the strip 20 "in its zig-zag passage over In converting the construction shown in Fig.

of passage of the strip 28 therethrough, this may be accomplished in a manner a similar -to the treatment of the tank Illa in Fig. 8, that is, by providing an upward extension 260 for the side and end wallsof the tank l2; and providing rolls 262 and 264, equivalent to the rolls 252 and 254 previously described for likewise causing the strip 20 to travel in zig-zag relation through the tank l2 as indicated. In such case the rolls 58 between the rolls 264 will, of course, be removed and additional spray pipes 200 will be projected through the side wall of the extension 288 to spray the rinse water on the vertically directed runs of the strip 20 during its passage through the tank l2. N

In a similar manner an extension 210 may be applied to the tank 14 and rolls 282 and 284, corresponding to the rolls 252 and 254 previously described, may be mounted in the extension and in the main body portion of the tank l4 for causing the strip to travel in vertically directed runs therethrough. Likewise additional spray pipes 2M will in such case be inserted through aside wall of the extension 210 to spray the solution from the tank i4 upon the vertically directed runs on the strip 20.

In case of the conversion illustrated in Fig. 8 the housing 82 at the rear end of the tank I4 is preferably removed and replaced by a relatively tall housin 280 in which a slack takeup mechanism may be mounted and which may also be employed asa drying oven. In such case tion that in accordance with the present tionv apparatus is provided which in the first place permits sheet material to be chemically treated at a relatively high speed of travel through the apparatus, that the apparatus is adaptable for being changed to handle either strip or sheet stock at a minimum of'expense, and that the latter type of apparatus may be modified at a minimum of expense to enable it to treat strip stock-only at the higher rate of speed. It will also be appreciated that in mount- .ing the various rolls in groups which are ap- 7 to that shown in Fig. 8, if it is desired to proreplaced by a tank of a different character withi it is preferred to provide a pair of rolls 282 in Y the housing 288 for reception of the strip 20 as it is discharged from the tank l4 and a similar pair of rolls 284 at the outlet side of the plicable to and removable as a unit from the chemical treatment tank, a simple and efi'ective means for cleaning such rolls of the sludge which tends to build provided.

Having thus described by invention, which claim by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for chemically coating work in the form of metal sheets or strips comprising three tanks arranged in end-to-end relationship, cooperating pairs of rolls in each'of said tanks for the passageof the work therebetween, means for directing a chemical solution upon the work during its passage through the first of said tanks, a fourth tank for holding said chemical solution, means for removing said solution from said first tank as it drains from said work and delivering it to said fourth tank, pumping means associated with said fourth tank for withdrawing said solution therefrom and delivering it to said work in-said first tank through the first mentioned means, means for applying rinse water to said work during its passage through the second of said tanks, means for applying a different chemical solution to said work during its passage through the third of said tanks, and said first tank being-removable from said apparatus independently of the remaining of said tanks whereby said first tank may be removed and out materially disturbing the remainder of said apparatus. 1

2. Apparatus forchemically coating work in the form of metal sheets or strips comprising three tanks arranged in end-to-end relationship, cooperating pairs of rolls in each of said tanks for the passage of the work therebetween, means for directing a chemical solution upon the work during its passage through the first of said tanks, a fourth tank for holding said chemical solution, means for removing said solution from said first tank as it drains from said work and delivering it to said fourth tank, pumping means associated with said fourth tank for withdrawing said solution therefrom and delivering it to said work in said first tank through the first mentioned means,- means for applying rinse water to said work during its passage through the second of said tanks, means for applying a difierent chemical solution to said work during its passage through weight 292, which thus serves to take any slack developing in the discharge end of the strip 28.

A similar slack take-up mechanism may be provided for. the strip 20 at the entrance end of the apparatus, the construction shown including a plurality, three in number, of rolls 294 -mounted to rotate about fixed axes and interapparatus to be adapted-for treating work of a desired character. I r

3. Apparatus for use in the chemical coating of metal strips comprising a tank, a plurality of relatively closely adjacent pairs of rolls positioned in said tank for receiving a workstrip introinvenup on them during treatment, is.

rolls, a. chemical solution storage tank, and

from.

pumping means associated with said storage tank for withdrawing solution therefrom and applying it to said strip during its passage through the first-mentioned tank, and means for draining solution from said first-mentioned tank into said storage tank for re-circulation therefrom. a

. 4. Apparatus for use in the chemical coating of metal strips comprising a tank, a plurality of relatively closely adjacent pairs of rolls positioned in said tank for receiving a work strip introduced into said tank therebetween, additional pairs of rolls in said tank for receiving and guiding said strip during its passage through said tank and spaced from one another by a distance greater than the spacing of the first-mentioned rolls, the last-mentioned rolls being arranged to ,fcause said strip to travel in zig-zag relation through said tank, a chemical solution storage tank, and pumping means associated with said storage tank for withdrawing solution therefrom and applying it to said strip during its passage through the first-mentioned tank, and means for draining solution from said first-mentioned tank into said storage tank for re-circulation there- 5. Apparatus for chemically} coating metal strips comprising a tank having an entrance end and an outlet end, a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating rolls rotatably mounted in said' tank adjacent the entrance end thereof for receiving a strip of work to be treated, a plurality of addipassage of the work therebetween, and means prising a unit applicable to and removable from said tank as aunit.

8. In apparatus for applying a chemical coating solution to strip metal, a tank structure, a plurality of pairs of cooperating rolls rotatably mounted in said structure and adapted for the passage of said strip therethrough, a reservoir for said solution, means'for collecting amounts of said solution applied to said strip in said tank in excess of that required to wet said strip and for delivering said excess to said reservoir, and meansi'or withdrawing said solution from said reservoir and spraying it upon said strip during its passage through said rolls, said rolls being arranged as a unitary group and said tank having an opening in a side wall thereof through which said group 5 of rolls may be inserted into said tank structure and removed therefrom as a unit. 9. In apparatus for applying a chemical coating solution to strip metal, a tank structure, a plurality of pairs of cooperating rolls rotatably mounted in said structure and adapted for the passage of said strip therethrough, a reservoir for said solution, means for collecting amounts of said solutionapplied to said strip in said tank in excess of that required to wet said strip and for delivering said excess to said reservoir, means for withdrawing said solution from said reservoir tional rolls within said tank arranged to receive said strip of work from said multiplicity of rolls and directing said strip in zig-zag relation through said tank to the outlet end thereof, spray nozzles mounted in said tank for directing a spray of chemical solution upon said strip dur ing its passage therethrough, a storage tank for said solution, means for collecting that part of said solution applied to said strip in the first mentioned tank in excess of that required to wet said strip and for discharging said excess into said storage tank, and pumping means connected with said storage tank for removing solution therefrom and re-delivering it to said spray nozzles.

6. Apparatus. for chemically coating work in the form of metal strips comprising a tank having a plurality-of cooperating pairs of rolls therein arranged insubstantially horizontal alignment with each other, side extensions on said tank projecting above the upper edges of the side walls thereof, a plurality of rolls extending between and rotatably mounted by said side'extensions, additional rolls mounted between the sides of said tank whereby said work may be caused to pass through said horizontally arranged pairs of rollers and then back and forth between said rollers mounted between said extensions and the last-mentioned rollers, spray nozzles in said tank and between said extensions arranged to direct a spray therefrom upon said work during its-passage between and over said mils, and means for discharging a chemical solution through said nozzles.

7. Apparatus for use in the rustprooflng of work in the form of metal sheets or strips comprising, in combination, a tank, a plurality of cooperating pairs of rolls in said tank for the and spraying itupon said strip during its passage through said rolls, and a frame structure supporting a group of said rolls as a unit, said frame structure and said group of rolls supported,

. plurality of pair of cooperating rolls rotatably mounted in said structure and adapted for the passage of said strip therethrough, a reservoir for said solution, means for collecting amounts of said solution applied to said strip in said tank in excess of that required to wet said trip and for delivering said excess to said reservoir, means for withdrawing said solution from said reservoir and spraying it upon said strip during its passage through said rolls, said tank structure having an opening in a side wall thereof, a frame for supporting said group of rollers as a unit and movable as a unit through said opening into and out of operative relation with respect to said tank structure, and means for locating and supporting said frame within said tank structure.

11. In apparatus for applying a chemical coating solution to strip metal/a tank structure, a,

plurality of pairs of cooperating rolls rotatably mounted in said structure and adapted for the passage of said strip therethrough, a reservoir for said solution, means for collecting amounts of said solution applied to said trip in said .tank in excess'of that required to wet said strip and for through said tank and spaced from' one another by a distance greater than'the spacing of the flrst mentioned rolls. and means for applying a chemical solution to said strip between adjacent pairs of said pairs of rolls, whereby to subject the surface of said sheet to a succession oi squeezing'and rolling contacts while wet by said chemical solution, the said contacts following each other in more rapid succession at the beginning of the A operation than later in said operation.

ROBERT H. GORDON.

REFERENCES 'CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,872,507 Saunders e Aug. 16, 1932 2,003,778 Willis June 4, 1935 2,288,007 Lum June 30, 1942 15 2,288,788 Clark July '7, 1942 2,348,698 Thompson May 9, 944 119,403 Brooks Oct. 3, 1871 936,472 Pfanhauser Oct. 12, 1909 

